Vance Roley, dean and First Hawaiian Bank Chair of Leadership and Management at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business, received the coveted American Savings Bank Business Leader of the Year award at the annual Pacific Business News Business Leadership Hawaiʻi dinner in November.
Among his accomplishments as dean over the past 10 years, Roley partnered with alumnus Jay H. Shidler to bring two transformational private donations to the college. First in 2006, to name the college the “Shidler College of Business” with a $25 million gift and the second in 2014 to increase Shidler’s commitment to $100 million making it the largest donation ever to the University of Hawaiʻi from a private donor.
- “Roley named Business Leader of the Year at PBN Business Leadership Hawaiʻi awards” – Pacific Business News
- UH News video: “Historic $100 million gift presented to Shidler College of Business,” October 17, 2014
Under his leadership and with Shidler’s support, Roley rolled out a strategic plan to transform the college’s facilities, programs and reputation. The improvements included upgrading the college’s classrooms and building exterior, expanding programs and academic support, increasing internship and career opportunities, raising scholarships and faculty endowments through a matching fund program, providing research support, recruiting top faculty and students and expanding alumni activities and participation globally.
Today, the college stands as a model for other educational institutions and is recognized among the best international business programs in the nation. According to Shidler, it was Roley’s vision and long-term strategy for the college that was the impetus behind his initial and continued financial support.
About Roley
Roley joined the Shidler College of Business as dean and First Hawaiian Bank Distinguished Professor of Leadership and Management in 2005. Previously, he was the acting dean and the Hughes M. Blake Professor of Finance at the School of Business at the University of Washington.
Roley received his bachelor’s degree with majors in economics and statistics from the University of California at Berkeley and received his master’s and doctorate degrees in economics from Harvard University.
—By Dolly Omiya
